ANNAMAYA

I am a regular at the restaurants at Andaz Delhi — A Concept By Hyatt. So when I received the home- delivery menu of their award- winning food hall Annamaya, I was excited. More so, because, Executive Chef Alex Moser believes in fresh, local ingredients and grows micro greens, aloe vera, vegetables and herbs right there; pickles and chutneys are sourced from Ranikhet, rock salt from Majkhali and honey from farmers in Garhwal. Not only do these ingredients enhance his dishes it serves to uplift rural communities.

The home- delivery menu has limited dishes. But what stunned me was how much the team has packed into the concise menu. 'Char Roasted Broccoli with cheddar and kasundi', 'Amritsari Goat Milk Paneer Tikka' and 'Bun Tikki, Potato Patty' will lure vegetarians while 'Tandoori Baked Fish', 'Lamb Seekh Kabab' and 'Chicken Tikka' is the tip of the non-veg berg. Pair it with salad bowls like 'Green Mango, Tomato and Avocado' or 'Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella, Pesto, Walnuts' and you're set! In the mood for Indian curries or biriyani?There is a page devoted to it with specials 'Saag Paneer', 'Mutton Rogan Josh' and of course 'Butter Chicken'. Last, but not least, there are bakes: artisanal loafs, tea cakes, muffins and wholewheat flatbreads. And if you are worried about quality groceries during the lockdown, artisanal produce, millets, tea, coffee and other items are available!!

Reminiscing about this afternoon's luncheon, I marvel at how the chef packaged two plates of tandoori baked fish, with condiments, so well I didn't miss going out for a meal. Payment was made online and the delivery boy from Zomato came bang on time with the piping hot dishes. Marinated in lakhori chili and kasundi mustard, the off- the- hook fresh baked fish was sumptuous. I had paired it with artisanal multigrain bread loaf… it was purr-fect. If you are a sea- foodie, like me, you must try this. For tea, I had ordered 'Bun Tikki, Potato Patty': the  purrfect comfort food. I now have my eye on the wholewheat flatbread with smoked chicken, bell pepper and cheese — a meal that I am pretty sure would be wholesome, nutritious and sumptuous!! Hey, this review would be incomplete if I didn't mention Chef Moser, who made a home- delivered dish, a fine dining experience. Not just another meal. Bon Appetite!

— JASMEEN DUGAL